How Much Yarn to Make a Pom Pom Rug
Everything you need to know about making pom pom rugs.
The amount of yarn you need for a pom pom rug depends on the size of the rug and the size of the pom poms. We've made the calculations for you, along with some of our personal recommendations. For example, I'd suggest making medium sized pom poms rather than large or small because they create a deliciously fluffy rug without using up too much yarn! I would also suggest using acrylic yarn for a variety of reasons---read more about why acrylic yarn is the best yarn for pom poms.
If you're interested in making pom pom rugs but you aren't sure where to start, and you certainly aren't sure how much yarn to buy, be sure to read on for our calculator + recommendations.
How Much Yarn to Make a Pom Pom Rug
The amount of yarn needed will depend on the size of your rug and also the size of your pom poms. We recommend using medium sized pom poms rather than large or small ones so the process goes faster and the yarn goes longer! Since people like to make a variety of rug sizes, we put together a handy formula for you to calculate the amount of yarn needed.
In general:
1 sq ft of rug = 25 large (4.5" pom poms), or 40 medium (2.5" inch pom poms).
1 skein of medium weight acrylic yarn (160 yards) produces about 7 large 4.5" pom poms and 11 medium 2.5" pom poms.
Therefore, you need about 4 skeins per square foot of rug.
The bottom line? You are going to use more yarn than you think you will.
Infographic: How Many Pom Poms in a DIY Rug
Not a fan of math? We've done the math for you! Check out our infographic about different rug sizes and download the PDF for a handy resource.
The number of skeins of yarn looks like a LOT. We recommend buying about half the skeins listed and see how far you get before purchasing more.
Download the PDF
How to Make a Pom Pom Rug Really Fast
So you've got the yarn, now you need to make the rug quick! Check out our friend Petro's tutorial for How to Make Pom Poms in Bulk, then get cracking! I'd suggest enlisting a friend or family member to help. If that's not an option, or even if two of you need to make this at lightning speed, cut down the rug. You don't need to give that friend a rug that measures 30"x30". Instead, give them a sweet little doormat that only requires you make 50 pom poms instead of 225.
Are Pom Pom Rugs Washable?
This is a valid question. Do you really want to take the time to make a gorgeous pom pom rug only to have to throw it away because it shrunk in the wash, or got mildewy, or heaven forbid, grew mold??
The good news is, acrylic yarn (which is what we recommend to make pom poms) is totally and easily machine washable. It won't shrink or felt in the wash, and when dried flat, comes out quite nicely! You can even use a hairdryer on a cool setting to dry your rug and help fluff out the pom poms even more.
Where you'll run into some complications is if you use a natural fiber yarn like wool. One blogger over at Say Yes recommends tying the pom poms onto a nonslip mat with a slipknot so if one or a few of them get too dirty, they can be taken off and cleaned individually. They could also be replaced entirely by new pom poms if there is a particularly grungy spot. Check out her adorable pom pom rug tutorial.
How to Make a Pom Pom Rug
Now that you have a ball park idea of how many pom poms you need to make a rug and how much yarn that translates too, if you're still with me, I'd love to show you some of our favorite pom pom rug patterns on the site.
Daisy Pom Pom Rug DIY